Songs for the Church
Posted September 10, 2022
By BPence,
There is One Gospel is a collection of new music for congregational worship by CityAlight, a music ministry from St. Paul’s church in Sydney, Australia. I recently got to see CityAlight for the first time at the 2022 Sing! Getty Music Worship Conference in Nashville, one of many highlights from the conference.
In a session at the conference entitled “Behind the Songs Live with CityAlight,” I learned that they intentionally write simple folk melodies, which might even sound familiar to us, to go along with their biblically informed lyrics. It is not unusual for them to take six months to write a song, as each song goes through several reviews.
Here are a few comments about each song on this excellent new album:
Every Step – This song was written by James Ferguson and Ian Lewis. The song features piano, drums, bass, guitar and backing vocals. The song is about trusting in Christ with every step we take.
Key lyrics:
For all of my days I will live for your glory
Running with courage and faith
The prize of my journey, the joy of salvation
To meet my King face to face
There is One Gospel – This song was written by Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson. The song features piano, guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals. The song is about the one Gospel on which we stand.
Key lyrics:
And when in glory still I will sing
Of this old story that rescued me
Praise to the Savior, the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
On That Day – This song was written by Scott Lavender, Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Nigel Hendroff and Michael Farren. The song features piano, bass, guitar, drums and backing vocals. The song is about the resurrection day.
Key lyrics:
On that day we will see you shining brighter than the sun
On that day we will know you as we lift our voice as one
Till that day we will praise you for your never-ending grace
And we will keep on singing on that glorious day
Psalm 42 (I Will Praise Him Again) – This song was written by Jonny Robinson and Tiarne Tranter. This song, based on Psalm 42, was written after Tiarne Tranter suffered a miscarriage. The beautiful song features piano, acoustic guitar, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why are you troubled within?
For I will hope in my Savior, my God
And will praise Him, yet praise Him again
This is the Day – This joyful song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson and Tiarne Tranter. The song is based on Psalm 118:24. The song features guitar, drums, backing vocals and keys.
Key lyrics:
This is the day that the Lord has made
We will rejoice as we lift His name
This is the day that the Lord has made
Come and rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it
Known and Loved – This song was written by Tiarne Tranter, Jaywan Maxwell and Fiona Aghajanian. The song, about being known and loved by Jesus, features piano, guitar, bass, keys, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
I come to Jesus, lay down my weakness
No need for hiding, here in His light
This truth I treasure, my peace forever
Is being known and loved by Him
Your Will Be Done – This song was written by Rich Thompson and Jonny Robinson. The song, based on Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22:42, features piano, guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
And in this Name we overcome
For You shall see us safely home
Now as your church
We lift our voice and pray
Father, not my will but Yours be done
There is Hope – This song was written by Niki Shepherd and Paris Robertson. The song features piano, bass, drums, guitar, backing vocals and strings.
The song is about Jesus, our hope forever.
Key lyrics:
Jesus Christ my hope forever
Hope unlike the world can bring
Your steadfast love beyond all measure
There is hope in Christ my king
Bonus Tracks:
The Night Song – This beautiful song about Jesus, who has saved us from the darkness, was written by Colin Buchanan, Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson, and features Buchanan. The song features piano, guitar, strings and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
All this day Your hand has held me
God of Heaven, by my side
Thank you, Father, for Your goodness
You will hold me through the night
It Was Finished Upon That Cross – This song, about the cross of Christ (John 19:30), was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, and Nigel Hendroff. The song features piano, guitar, drums, bass, and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
Death was once my great opponent
Fear once had a hold on me
But the Son who died to save us
Rose that we would be free indeed!
Jesus Strong and Kind – This song was written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren and Colin Buchanan and features Buchanan. The song features keys, piano, bass, drums, and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
For the Lord is good and faithful
He will keep us day and night
We can always run to Jesus
Jesus, strong and kind
Favorite Songs
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